There was a definite difference in tone to this, much much darker. I still thought Maas did an excellent job, and look forward to the next where there's an optimistic outlook for the witches--not blindly following grandmother's autocratic rule, for Aelin & her entourage in their new kingdom, & for the fact that magic is available in the foreseeable future. ( )

I liked this book....I did.
But OMG it was long. And it felt long.... I liked the new twists and turns and I the connections and alliances are starting to grow on me. But this was a slow moving book until the last 100 pages, and even those last 50 pages just felt like it was never going to stop. I'm glad how it all worked out but I know now why I took so long to get through it all. ( )

This review contains spoilers for books four through six in the series! You have been warned!

Random Shit I Wrote Down In My Notes While Re-Reading Queen Of Shadows Because I Just Wanted To TBH:

• Dorian :(((
• We’re finally calling her Aelin yessssss
• Y’all already know how I feel about this dude. Fuck Arobynn bro
• Chaol stop being an asshole
• Eeeeeh I forgot Chesryn was a thing
• Lysandra and Evangelineeeee • Poor Aedion :(
• Elideeeee
• I think I must’ve skipped Chaol’s POV chapters when I first read this because I don’t remember any of this lmao
• Aelin and Aedion acting kinda sus ngl ( )

3 more books how am I going to survive this..... ( )

Damn! There are no words. and now I have to wait for the next book, gah! ( )

Obviously, the hooker here is that Aelin has been separated from Rowan and Dorian is currently enslaved. All really good and interesting plot points. But some of the characters’ actions are just so needlessly annoying ( )

Was für ein Buch!
Ich habe geweint, herzhaft gelacht und um alle Protagonist:innen gebangt und gezittert.

Eine ausführliche Rezi kommt demnächst! ( )

I really loved this. Just like I loved Heir of Fire. The story was never boring and I really liked the characters. ( )

Good book in a good series, but honestly if I had to read any more about a “fairy prince” or the phrases “death incarnate” or “death, destroyer of worlds” one more time I might have screamed ( )

This book was so good in so many ways except the fact that Chaol appears to have left his big boy pants at home. ( )

3.5 - At this point in the series, I've developed a chronic allergy to just about anything Celaena- and Assassins' Guild-related, since that episode of her life was so poorly put together that it was cringy and flimsy at best (world's greatest assassin with a big mouth, enormous ego, no actual stomach for killing, and no street smarts - seems legit). The only exception to that rule was Heir of Fire, where Celaena finally underwent some true character development before accepting her new identity as Aelin. So I wasn't excited to see her slip back into her old assassin guise for the first half of the book, but I suppose it was necessary to tie up some loose ends - Arobynn wasn't very believable at first, but finally became a realistic and ruthless enough antagonist that the stakes involved made sense. The boss battle in the second half was well-written in terms of action and pacing, which has always seemed to be SJM's main strength. But - yes, another but - by that time there had already been too many convenient saves with all the magical artifacts floating around the story, what with copies being made of just about everything that made it super easy to fool Aelin's overpowered enemies... somehow.

As far as the other characters went, I still liked most of our sidekicks, particularly Rowan and his ongoing chemistry with Aelin, but Chaol was insufferable. I could only read so many pages of constant pity parties mixed with bitter commercial breaks where he blames Aelin for breathing, existing, and everything that happened while she was sent away (which he's somehow forgotten was his own doing). He did one good thing in the end, but I still can't say I'm a fan. Lysandra was a new favorite, and I'm glad to see there wasn't any weird love triangle going on with Aedion, because that would have been tiresome to read too. Anyway, the overall plot still held my interest enough to warrant at least a 3-star, and I was glad to say goodbye to Celaena (hopefully) for good. ( )

Finally, at Book #4, I’m really starting to enjoy the Throne of Glass series. I’m disappointed that it took me this long to get into the story, but at last I am looking forward to the next book. ( )

"We'll face it together. To whatever end."

Alright I'll say up front that I started this book and it took me like six months to actually finish it. I got a decent amount read and then needed a breather. It then was super hard to convince myself to pick it back up. I can honestly say that the break had nothing to do with the story and everything to do with how many I binged and the mood I was in. I can say honestly that in this one most of the action didn't feel like it took place until the last like fourty percent of the book. A lot is happening in this one and we have to keep track of a lot of characters. I really wish I had a cheat sheet of who everyone was sometimes.

I can say with absolute certantity that I adore Aelin. I loved that in this one we really get to see how cunning she can be. She has returned to Adarlan and everything is different. I cannot express how many moving parts are taking place in this book at once. I think it was incredibly interesting to watch how all the little pieces are starting to come together. I honestly can't decide which storyline I enjoy more. The witches and Manon have such a mindblowing and intense storyline that is happening alongside the storyline with Aelin trying to restore magic. Chaol and the rebels are also doing their own thing to try and keep the king from being to powerful. I mean all the moving parts are intense and the ways they connect are well done.

My absolute favorite thing about this book was probably the various characters and character development that took place. I mean Aelin shows just how prepared she is to be a queen. She is starting to develop her court and she's decided the people who matter most to her. Aedion is slowly becoming one of my favorite characters. The way he loves Aelin unconditionally is probably the best part of this story. Rowan and Aelin's friendship/relationship dynamic is developing in this one and it's the most beautiful thing I think I have ever seen. I love how it's complex and not just this simple oh here we are dynamic.

I am in love with Aelin's character and Manon's character is phenomenal. I loved the character development for the both of them in this one. Rowan is perfection. I adored watching him and Aedion come to terms with one another. Like I said, I set this aside for a bit and came back to it and I think that really impacted my enjoyment of the first part of the story. It was good and had so many critical moving parts that are necessary to truly enjoy the story. But let me tell you the last fourty percent of this book... holy cow... the emotions were everywhere. The screams I screamed. The emotional upheaval I experienced. I didn't think so much could happen. It honestly has me excited for what comes next. ( )

I like to look at other reviews to get a pulse on whether or not I'm wildly off the mark and honestly, it's a little confusing because ratings-wise this is beloved (going as far as to win Goodreads' 2015 YA SFF pick and getting nominated for GR best of the best last year), and yet some of the most popular reviews are ones very upset with character changes/sinking ships. I... am apparently consistent with how I feel about Throne of Glass books, giving them 3s- they're entertaining, but if I pause to think about them for even more than two seconds, I have problems.

The first third of this book is a heist, and I was puzzled that we came to the main event we seemed to be gearing for so early... but then no, part two is paying back damages to Arobynn Hamel, and eventually the king himself. Maybe it's because I read this relatively quickly, but I struggle to think about what the main plot points were for 2/3rds of the book. I know how they got there, but pacing seems off. The witches were my favorite part of [b:Heir of Fire|20613470|Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460846511l/20613470._SY75_.jpg|25128502], so I was glad to see them again (and for their plot to converge with the main mystery Aelin chases after). Manon in many ways is what I wanted Celaena to be/was promised in the first Throne of Glass: a badass lady warrior who can rip your throat out without blinking at it. Manon has centuries of experience to back up her confidence; Celaena's youth makes her less believable. Multiple times in Queen of Shadows she (and Lysandra) muse about how they are now grown women, so different from their childish ways... all of three years ago per the novellas. It's hard to suspend disbelief that they've truly matured in that time; however, both women have suffered major traumas and it's a wonder that they're even able to saunter boldly to tilt their chins at hungry men. (I really hope Maas picks up on her repeated phrases and learns variety, but who knows. So much purring! I'm imagining everyone talking in that baby voice one usually uses towards babies and pets).

I know it should be okay to DNF a book or series. I just like completing things, and I'm not bored enough to throw the book aside. Maas books really remind me of the Twilight series- hugely, wildly popular among a predominantly female audience with apparent ship wars (and as demonstrated in the reviews here, ship wars against canon)- and I don't want to repeat my mistake pooh-poohing something because society hates teenage girls. I think if I'd read this when I was 18-22, I totally would've been like, "That's not even a comparison because at least Aelin has a personality and a burning drive towards destiny unlike Bella! She actually does things!" They do share some DNA though, like having fantasy!boyfriends who are way, WAY too old for a teenage girl but *feelings* and *scents* and *dumb male dominance* and ehhhhhh. I think I'd like them more if Lysandra or Manon were the leads, but luckily as the books go one the series becomes more of an ensemble work than solely in Aelin's head. It'd also be interesting if Maas took the time to examine how trauma affected her characters but they zoom into recovery awfully quick.

This would be an okay place to end the series maybe, but there's a few more books so I'm guessing we're rebuilding Terrasen and then eventually facing the real Big Bad discovered at the end. ( )

I am so happy I finally moved on in this series. I thought this book was so well crafted and really needs to be read physically. I really did like my listen, but wish I would have read the physical book. I thought this book had so many various threads that finally connected at the end. I still really liked the character of Dorian and really and loving lyssandra. I thought this book had some tie backs to other books in the series, that I really enjoyed. I enjoyed this book and am so excited to dive in the next t books in this series. ( )

I am so happy I finally moved on in this series. I thought this book was so well crafted and really needs to be read physically. I really did like my listen, but wish I would have read the physical book. I thought this book had so many various threads that finally connected at the end. I still really liked the character of Dorian and really and loving lyssandra. I thought this book had some tie backs to other books in the series, that I really enjoyed. I enjoyed this book and am so excited to dive in the next t books in this series. ( )

It’s just… too good.
Aelin, Rowan, Aedion, Lysandra, Dorian, Chaol, Nesryn, Manon, Elide, the Thirteen… Am I forgetting someone?

So many people, so much plot lines… So seamlessly written. I love it. Finished in two days. Read it through two straight days. So utterly perfect.

There are many scenes I love in this book. When she rescues Aedion, when Rowan arrives, when she meets Lysandra, the dinner party with Arobynn, the meeting in the forest with Manon and Dorian and the court… Everything, basically.

All stories with amazing twists and turns, complete with great characters all around.
• Aelin is utter genius, her planning skills and stubbornness to not tell anyone about her plans is only the beginning.
• Rowan is the love of my life. Completely.

“I missed you. When I was in Wendlyn. I lied when I said I didn’t. From the moment you left, I missed you so much I went out of my mind.”

“I kept thinking about how you might never know that I missed you with only an ocean between us. But if it was death separating us … I would find you. I don’t care how many rules it would break. Even if I had to get all three keys myself and open a gate, I would find you again. Always.”

“I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping—not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think … I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.”

• Aedion is amazing. Superprotective Fae, yes, but amazing. The way he reveres Aelin, his cousin, his queen. I love him.

• Lysandra is a joyous surprise. Didn’t expect to love her as much as I do. Her protectiveness of Evangeline, her loyalty to Aelin, her power of shape-shifting, wanting to be something with claws and big fangs :) so relatable.

• Watching what was done to Dorian broke me. Literally broke me. He was such a cinnamon roll, and now he was obligated to turn into who he’ll become, and it’s such a loss. He didn’t deserve that.

• Getting into enemy territory here, but I liked Chaol. Really. He was an asshole at the beginning, sure, but let’s remember, so was Aelin after Nehemia’s death. And what happened to Chaol was similar, and if you think about it, somewhat his fault. He feels a lot of guilt and shame. He knows he’s acting like a bastard most of the time, like Aelin did, in her despair. But he does the right thing, and matures. His path was different than hers, and he had to cope with the fact that the man who he spent years working for, fighting for, who he pledged his loyalty to, was a demon in disguise. He takes a while to realize this truth, and didn’t deal with it in the best way. But he realizes in the end. He apologized to Aelin, she doesn’t blame him. And the thing I had most problem with: he didn’t accept who she was, all the parts hw didn’t want to see. And in the end, he is tearing up at the sight of the beauty of Aelin’s fire. He doesn’t back down at her Fae form. He smiled. And he accepts helping her in the Southern continent, to gather allies. I don’t care what anybody says. I like him. He did some shit? He did. But so did many people, including Aelin.

• Manon’s story gets me more interested by the minute. She says she doesn’t have a heart, but almost tears down Morarh to find Elide, cries over what was done to Asterin, and helps Dorian. And regrets. And has hope.

• Elide, our newest introduction. We heard of her in Heir of Fire. Her mother was Lady Marion. And I love her will of iron, even if her teeth are not. She will find Aelin and serve her in her court, for she has hope, and she teached the Wing Leader to hope.

I don’t know if I have more to say, other than this is one of the best I’ve read. And the best is yet to come. ( )

It’s just… too good.
Aelin, Rowan, Aedion, Lysandra, Dorian, Chaol, Nesryn, Manon, Elide, the Thirteen… Am I forgetting someone?

So many people, so much plot lines… So seamlessly written. I love it. Finished in two days. Read it through two straight days. So utterly perfect.

There are many scenes I love in this book. When she rescues Aedion, when Rowan arrives, when she meets Lysandra, the dinner party with Arobynn, the meeting in the forest with Manon and Dorian and the court… Everything, basically.

All stories with amazing twists and turns, complete with great characters all around.
• Aelin is utter genius, her planning skills and stubbornness to not tell anyone about her plans is only the beginning.
• Rowan is the love of my life. Completely.

“I missed you. When I was in Wendlyn. I lied when I said I didn’t. From the moment you left, I missed you so much I went out of my mind.”

“I kept thinking about how you might never know that I missed you with only an ocean between us. But if it was death separating us … I would find you. I don’t care how many rules it would break. Even if I had to get all three keys myself and open a gate, I would find you again. Always.”

“I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping—not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think … I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.”

• Aedion is amazing. Superprotective Fae, yes, but amazing. The way he reveres Aelin, his cousin, his queen. I love him.

• Lysandra is a joyous surprise. Didn’t expect to love her as much as I do. Her protectiveness of Evangeline, her loyalty to Aelin, her power of shape-shifting, wanting to be something with claws and big fangs :) so relatable.

• Watching what was done to Dorian broke me. Literally broke me. He was such a cinnamon roll, and now he was obligated to turn into who he’ll become, and it’s such a loss. He didn’t deserve that.

• Getting into enemy territory here, but I liked Chaol. Really. He was an asshole at the beginning, sure, but let’s remember, so was Aelin after Nehemia’s death. And what happened to Chaol was similar, and if you think about it, somewhat his fault. He feels a lot of guilt and shame. He knows he’s acting like a bastard most of the time, like Aelin did, in her despair. But he does the right thing, and matures. His path was different than hers, and he had to cope with the fact that the man who he spent years working for, fighting for, who he pledged his loyalty to, was a demon in disguise. He takes a while to realize this truth, and didn’t deal with it in the best way. But he realizes in the end. He apologized to Aelin, she doesn’t blame him. And the thing I had most problem with: he didn’t accept who she was, all the parts hw didn’t want to see. And in the end, he is tearing up at the sight of the beauty of Aelin’s fire. He doesn’t back down at her Fae form. He smiled. And he accepts helping her in the Southern continent, to gather allies. I don’t care what anybody says. I like him. He did some shit? He did. But so did many people, including Aelin.

• Manon’s story gets me more interested by the minute. She says she doesn’t have a heart, but almost tears down Morarh to find Elide, cries over what was done to Asterin, and helps Dorian. And regrets. And has hope.

• Elide, our newest introduction. We heard of her in Heir of Fire. Her mother was Lady Marion. And I love her will of iron, even if her teeth are not. She will find Aelin and serve her in her court, for she has hope, and she teached the Wing Leader to hope.

I don’t know if I have more to say, other than this is one of the best I’ve read. And the best is yet to come. ( )

Loved it! Series review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8rJbQ3QA6Y ( )

Queen of Shadows brought our cast back into one place and while I adored seeing them all together, multiple sobbingly good reunions, I missed the world building SJM had set up in the last book.

This book tore my heart out in the best way possible, while giving me even more Aelin to fall in love with. ( )

Must read part of the series and honestly, it kept me going for more. I read a lot of reviews and the snark is real. There is hate in the series and people keep saying "you could do it in half the time"....yeah that's true but you could say that about MANY book series out there.

A lot of people hooked up in this book which I wasn't a huge fan off but I see some of it as character changing. Some weren't really but some of it changes. SOme people don't like that certain characters changed...... they are growing into their roles. I'll read the next book and see how it goes but I do like the storyline. ( )

This was my favorite installment yet. Action, intrigue, mystery, magic, and so much personal growth for all my favorite characters. I'm a little embarrassed that my own ignorant judginess almost kept me from reading this series. Anything this popular has to be horrible, right? No. So, so, wrong. It's brilliant, and you should definitely read it if you've been holding out for the same reasons I did.

I mean, witches and ghost leopards and awesomely reimagined vampire fae creatures... What else could you ask for in a fantasy series?!

And don't fret, it's also actually incredibly well-written, unlike some other very famous books in the genre ;) ( )

This is my favorite book in the series so far.

Celaena/Aelin goes back to Adarlan with plans to bring magic back, kill the king, and free the people. Things don't go quite according to plan but Aelin finds allies in unusual places.

There is a lot of excitement in this book. Lots of action. Old scores are settled. Old frenemies reunited. New bonds formed. They've discovered that the biggest bad is already loose in the world but there are still a few more books to go, so I'm sure he won't be defeated in the next book. Of course, she will have to deal with Maeve the Elf queen at some point as well. Everyone wants to get their hands on the wyrdstones so they can have all the power.

Aelin has made allies and has a few members in her court. Now that magic is back, she has that power as well.

Evil things are still happening in Morath. But it looks like the witches aren't buying into the promises made by the Volg or humans.

I can't wait to see what happens next/ ( )

Probably my favorite book in the series so far! We see more of our favorites— Aelin/Celaena, Rowan, Chaol, and Manon Blackbeak and her Thirteen. Plus, we learn more about Lysandra, and what happened to Kaltain and Dorian. The story returns to Rifthold, and most of the story alternates between there and the Morath mountains. The pacing of the plot was perfect! There was so much action, witty banter, and the book was just an overall good time. Love this book and the series! ( )

Queen of Shadows is the fourth book of Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series. Celaena heads back to Rifthold as Aelin, the Queen if Terrasen. Before she can claim her crown though she has to fight for those she loves, has loved, and comes to love. This culminates with the long-awaited battle with the tyrant king.

The Lovely: The characters. As with each of the prior books, I still find the best thing to be the characters and their relationships with each other. This includes the dynamic between Celaena and Aedion, especially once another characters pops up. She has a LOT of guys in her life. Parts of the book warmed my heart, and parts made me cry, all because of my connection to the character.

The Mundane: The tension was better than the last book but at times felt jumpy and disjointed due to the number of sub plots being wound together.

The Dreadful: There really wasn’t anything dreadful to this book, and that’s how it earned 5/5 stars. If anything, I didn’t like the Amazon/witch storyline but that is apparently a personal opinion.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Recommendation: I wavered and wavered between 4 and 5 stars for this book. Ultimately, I didn’t find anything drastically wrong with the book, and I loved the characters, so 5 stars it is. A LOT happens in this book action and plot wise but there is also a lot of character and relationship development, which is my favorite. ( )